WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO – I4F, a group of companies providing patents and technologies to the flooring industry, today shared details relating to a significant decision on Välinge’s asserted Mannington patents in the US. The United States Court for the District of Delaware ruled that four Mannington patents from Välinge are invalid in the US, with immediate effect. The Court made the ruling in a case brought by Välinge alleging infringement against Halstead and Home Depot.

The Court specifically determined that the phrase “not susceptible to damage caused by moisture” which appears in every independent claim of the involved Mannington patents is indefinite. Consequently, each claim of every asserted Mannington patents is now invalid in the United States, regardless of the claim construction (also called “Markman” in the US) outcome on the other contested claim terms. The decision effectively prevents Välinge from enforcing these now invalidated Mannington patents in the US.

Other than in the Mannington patents, the parties disputed only four other claim terms, where two disputes were decided in favor of Halstead and Home Depot. While Välinge will have the opportunity to appeal, I4F believes the Delaware Court’s invalidity decision is correct and does not expect an appeals decision before the patents expire. In the meantime, the Mannington patents are invalid with immediate effect and are expected to remain invalid, even after appeal.

Additionally, in Europe, I4F has filed a nullity action based on prior art in Germany against Mannington patent EP’665, a European patent in the invalidated U.S. Mannington patent family.